If you’re searching for a new career, you need to start a shopping list.

Not the milk, eggs, bread and bottle of prosecco kind but a list of job priorities.

It’s so easy to be wowed by an attractive salary and fancy pants job title that sometimes other important aspects of a role are forgotten: friendly colleagues, learning new skills, a nice boss and so on.

Trouble is, sometimes we don’t really get a feel for these until six months into the job.

So before you start searching [site_name] for your next post, draw up your career shopping list to compare personal priorities and potential compromises.

This way when you spot something on [site_name], you can see at a glance if it’s a perfect match.

 

Detailed descriptions

Hopefully the vacancy matches your skills and abilities but does it look like a role you’ll enjoy? Ask yourself if you’re attracted to it because it looks shiny and new or because it’s something you’ll really like.

There’s a temptation to romanticise a potential new job – it’s a bit like hitting it off on a first date – but consider your potential relationship with your job in a year’s time. Will it still be all hearts and flowers?

 

Huge titles

This can be hugely influential when it comes to choosing. There can be very little difference between some jobs but the titles differ.

Ask yourself if the title really matters or is it the substance of the job that’s key.

 

Long distances

How far are you prepared to travel? An hour’s commute might seem manageable in the summer but imagine doing it in the middle of winter. Will your working hours make catching a bus or train home difficult? Will it cause childcare issues?

Getting a good work-life balance is vital for job satisfaction.

 

Big numbers

We know salary is one of the most important deciders when it comes to a new job but don’t fall into a job simply because it pays well. Set your salary parameters with an upper ceiling and lower limit.

 

Little perks

Let’s face it, you’re unlikely to get snooze pods in most offices, but you might get a canteen, free fruit or tea and coffee. On their own they’re unlikely to be the clincher when deciding on a job but they’re often representative of a company’s ethos and how well they treat their staff.

 

Shop around for the latest vacancies on [site_name].